An experimental soundscape study, combining binaural recordings, in situ questionnaires and behavioral mapping

• Published in: The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 2019-03, Vol.145 (3), p.1753-1753
• Main Author: Radicchi, Antonella
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0001-4966; 1520-8524
• DOI: 10.1121/1.5101418

In 2014 and, more recently, in 2018 the ISO norms on soundscape were released with the aim of providing a conceptual framework and standardized data collection methods for the international community of scientists and professionals with an interest on soundscape. This paper presents a research study conducted in the summer of 2018 in a Berlin public square where, following the ISO norms on soundscape, methods were applied to further investigate the findings of the “Beyond the Noise: Open Source Soundscapes” project, i.e., the everyday quiet areas as identified by the participants in the project. First, the paper introduces the research questions originated from the previous study. Second, it outlines the fieldwork procedure and methods, consisting in binaural measurements made in parallel to in situ questionnaires and behavioral mapping. Third, it discusses the initial results and limitations of the study. In conclusion it argues the soundscape approach potential within urban design and planning, illustrating how the results were partially exploited to design a bottom-up master plan proposal so as to improve the public square’s soundscape and reduce noise pollution.